LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier refuses to say if he's hurt. Brian Kelly insists he isn't
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LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier refuses to say if he's hurt. Brian Kelly insists he isn't
Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY NETWORK·USA TODAY Sports
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4 min read
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OXFORD, Miss. –Brian Kellyinsists his quarterback is healthy.
His quarterback,Garrett Nussmeier, insisted he's not answering any questions about his health.
Interesting.
I insist ifLSU's quarterback is healthy, then he's not the elite talent some of us once thought. And if he's not healthy, then the No. 4 Tigers have problems on top of problems aftera stinging 24-19 defeat to rival No. 11 Mississippi.
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"I'm not going to answer any questions about my health," Nussmeier said.
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and offensive lineman Diego Pounds (61) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and tight end Dae'Quan Wright (8) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) and tight end Bauer Sharp (10) react after Anderson’s touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) and tight end Bauer Sharp (10) react after Anderson’s touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Aaron Anderson (1) runs after a catch as Mississippi Rebels linebacker Tahj Chambers (26) attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin looks on during a time out during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) runs the ball during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) reacts with wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (1) and wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (2) after Lee’s touchdown during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) reacts after his touchdown during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin reacts to an official during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) carries the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery (6) celebrates during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
LSU head coach Brian Kelly crouches on the sidelines during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) passes the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) looks into the stands after failing to get a first down during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) passes the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
1/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and offensive lineman Diego Pounds (61) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
1/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and offensive lineman Diego Pounds (61) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
2/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and tight end Dae'Quan Wright (8) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
3/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) and tight end Bauer Sharp (10) react after Anderson’s touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
4/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) and tight end Bauer Sharp (10) react after Anderson’s touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
5/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
6/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Aaron Anderson (1) runs after a catch as Mississippi Rebels linebacker Tahj Chambers (26) attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
7/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin looks on during a time out during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
8/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) runs the ball during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
9/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) reacts with wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (1) and wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (2) after Lee’s touchdown during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
10/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) reacts after his touchdown during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
11/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin reacts to an official during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
12/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) carries the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
13/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery (6) celebrates during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
14/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
LSU head coach Brian Kelly crouches on the sidelines during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
15/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) passes the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
16/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) looks into the stands after failing to get a first down during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)
17/17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) passes the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
Nussmeier showcased a howitzer earlier in his career. He never saw a coverage window he thought too tight to zip a completion into. Whatever deficiencies Nussmeier had in his game entering his final LSU season, arm strength wasn't one of them.
Until this season. He doesn't look right, and his 197 passing yards Saturday were a season low.
It's not that he forced an interception into thick coverage. I've seen that mistake before. New this season, though, is Nussmeier just doesn't show the same firecracker of an arm he's had previously.
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So, it's worth asking again: How's Nussmeier feeling physically?
"I'm not going to answer anything involving my health, sorry," Nussmeier said.
Very, very interesting.
Minutes before Nussmeier spoke, Kelly said his quarterback is healthy.
"The quarterback is going to get (scrutiny after losses). I get that," Kelly said. "Look, all I can tell you is, he's healthy."
Then, why isn't Nussmeier saying that?
Nussmeier had multiple opportunities to clarify the situation and demurred. He limited his remarks to the game itself.
Brian Kelly: 'Garrett Nussmeier's gotta play better' for LSU
Two weeks ago, Kelly said his quarterback was "fighting through" a torso injury. But, in the leadup and aftermath of this rivalry loss, the coach said the quarterback is healthy. And the quarterback himself isn't saying much, at all.
"Garrett Nussmeier's gotta play better," Kelly said. "Every player on offense has gotta play better, and then we have to be more consistent on defense."
"This is not a Garrett Nussmeier problem," he added. "This is an entire football team of guys needing to do their job at a higher level."
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Kelly fumed earlier this month at the idea LSU's offense wasn't playing up to snuff. Praise LSU's defense, he implored. Praise be, indeed, because LSU might have multiple losses if not for the way its defense performed the first few weeks.
LSU's offensive performance againstFlorida, though, served as a canary in the coal mine. This problem isn't going away. It's festering.
Kelly's right: Nussmeier must play better. He's also right Nussmeier's not the only problem.
LSU's receivers did not get open at the same rate the Rebels' receivers did. The Tigers mounted little attempt at a ground game. An injury sidelined starting tailbackCaden Durham, but it's not as if the Tigers were running wild and free the previous four games, either. AgainstOle Miss, a wide receiver led LSU in rushing attempts at halftime. So, yeah, that's what Kelly and Co. think of their run game, sans Durham.
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As for LSU's offensive line, put it this way: Those fellas wouldn't be asked to moonlight as bouncers at a night club. Nothing intimidating about them.
Some of this does come back to a quarterback not playing up to his billing.
Nussmeier's touchdown pass became a product of gameshow-like good fortune. His toss into thick coverage deflected off a defender. The ball ricocheted over the outstretched hand of another defender, and into the mitts of LSU's lunging receiverNic Anderson, who wasn't the intended target. The officials called it a touchdown. Bob Barker would've called it Plinko!
Nussmeier connected on one deep strike, but it hovered in the air so long, I imagine some thirsty fan in attendance could have shot-gunned a beer before the pass found its mark.
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A lack of downfield passing became a persistent theme throughout LSU's month-long scoring drought.
"We didn't make a big catch down the field, outside the numbers," Kelly said. "We made some really good catches inside the numbers, in the hash (marks), but you've got to hit some of those plays, and we didn't hit any of them."
If you didn't know better, you would've thought LSU started the Division II transfer quarterback. In truth, that wasOle Miss. Who knew Ferris State could be a quarterback factory for the SEC? Lane Kiffin got wise to it.
